John Galliano

John Galliano’s comeback story is one that the fashion world loves to tell, not just because it highlights his undeniable talent, but because it is a tale of reinvention. Appointed as creative director of Maison Margiela in 2014, Galliano stepped back into the spotlight, now with a different kind of energy. Taking over a house known for its anonymity and avant-garde ethos, he reimagined it with his flair, adding a theatrical touch while respecting Margiela’s deconstructionist roots. His first collection for Margiela debuted at Paris Couture Week in 2015, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in his career—one that embraced both the raw and the refined.

After his departure from Dior in 2011, Galliano faced an uphill battle, both professionally and personally. Convicted of making anti-Semitic remarks, he retreated from the public eye, spending years in rehabilitation to confront his addictions. It wasn’t until early 2013 that he took his first step back into fashion, working alongside Oscar de la Renta in a temporary residency—a move that sparked hope for his resurgence. And when Maison Margiela announced Galliano as their new creative head, the anticipation was electric. Many wondered if he could blend his bold narrative approach with the brand’s conceptual DNA.

Under Galliano’s direction, Margiela’s Artisanal and Women’s ‘Défilé’ collections have been transformed, bridging Galliano’s past penchant for opulence with Margiela’s signature intellectualism. He has taken familiar elements—bias cuts, exaggerated silhouettes, deconstructed tailoring—and infused them with a kind of raw glamour. His collections carry whispers of his storied past, yet feel distinctly now. Galliano has brought a new spirit to Maison Margiela, one that thrives on embracing contradictions—the quiet and the loud, the polished and the undone.

With his current work, Galliano continues to explore the evolution of fashion storytelling, fusing artistry with a sense of immediacy that feels relevant to today’s ever-shifting culture. His tenure at Margiela has proven that a designer can redefine themselves while honoring their history, creating something that is both deeply personal and universally impactful. Galliano’s journey is one of the rarest—a return that doesn’t just pick up where it left off, but grows into something entirely new.